Preparing Documents

Recorded and/or filed documents and ALL information contained within those instruments become
the permanent public record and are available for public viewing and/or purchase.

In the creation of the public record colored images are not typically accepted due to legibility issues associated with scanning.

Generically speaking the State of Alaska is concerned with the
following minimum recording criteria for any document submitted.
It is the responsibility of the individual submitting the document
to ensure that this minimum criteria is addressed. AS 40.17.030;
11 AAC 06.040

The following information is stated in terms of document compliance with minimum recording criteria
only, not document execution requirements or other substantive requirements for legal
validity. Plat minimum requirements are posted here.

Title

Document must have a title reflecting its overall intent. If
a title contains multiple functions, it is indexed under only
the first function listed, unless the submitting party requests
that it be recorded for multiple purposes and pays the additional
fees.
AS 40.17.030(a)(4); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(5)

Legibility

Document text must be of consistent clarity (no broken characters,
or severe light and dark zones in text) to ensure that the camera
can measure a strong light and dark contrast between text and
background.
AS 40.17.030(a)(2)

Fee

The appropriate fee should be submitted based on the charges
identified on the current fee schedule.
(SeeFees).
AS 40.17.030(a)10); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(4)

Indexing Information

Clearly identify on the document the parties (and legal description,
if applicable) to be indexed. All required indexing information
must be in English.
AS 40.17.030(a)(5); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(8)

Recording District

Document must include the recording district
in which it is to be recorded. This must be clearly stated on the document
(See District Listing). For example, document should state Anchorage Recording District or
Juneau Recording District.
AS 40.17.030(a)(9); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(12)

"Return To" Name and Address

“Return to”
information must contain the name and complete mailing address
(including zip code) of the person to whom the document may be returned after recording. If "Return
To " information is in a cover letter, the letter may be recorded with the document (becoming part
of the public record), provided the requisite fee is included. Failure to clearly identify the
RETURN TO information will result in non-acceptance. Please do not put RETURN TO
information in the margin area of the document.
AS 40.17.030(a)(7); 11 AAC 06.070

Signatures/Acknowledgment

Document must be signed and all signatures present must be originals (unless the document is a copy authorized to be recorded by other law). Conveyances, powers of attorney, contracts for sale or purchase of real property, and options for the purchase of real property must also be acknowledged. Signature requirements do not apply to UCC fixture documents. Please Note: Recording staff have no authorization to notarize documents.
AS 40.17.030(a)(1); AS 40.17.110(b); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(11)

Mailing Addresses

Deed documents must contain complete mailing addresses of all
persons who grant or acquire an interest.
AS 40.17.030(a)(8)

Book and Page or Serial Number Reference

Any document that amends,
corrects, extends, modifies, assigns, or releases a previously recorded document must contain the
book and page or serial number reference of the prior recording.
AS 40.17.030(a)(6); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(9)

Document Size and Media

Documents must be submitted
on OPAQUE WHITE paper stock no larger than 8.5" x 14" in size.
AS 40.17.030(d); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(10)

Certified Copies

Copies of governmental or court documents must be certified by the appropriate agency in order to be eligible for recording. Copies certified by any governmental agency are subject only to Legibility, Fee, Recording District, and "Return To" Name and Address above.
AS 40.17.030(b); 11 AAC 06.030; 11 AAC 06.040(b)

Legal Description

On a document where a legal description is present,
the legal description must be complete enough that a particular parcel can be
geographically located and identified. A legal description is sufficient for purposes of
recording if it contains, at a minimum, a section, township, range and meridian designation or,
in the case of subdivided property, the lot, block, subdivision name, or plat number of the parcel.
AS 40.17.030(a)(5); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(7)

Margins; Type Size, Paper

Document must have a two-inch margin at
top of first page, one-inch margins on all remaining sides and on all subsequent pages
of same document. A $50.00 non standard document fee can be paid in addition to the appropriate
recording fee if a document can't meet these margin requirements. Please note:
Taping, gluing or stapling one page onto a bigger page to meet margins requirements is not
acceptable and you will be charged the non standard document fee if submitted in this fashion.
The non standard fee will also be charged for documents with two-hole punches at the top of any page.
Type size must be no smaller than 10-point font. (See Example)
These margin and font requirements do not apply to UCC fixture documents, plats, or certified
copies from government agencies.
AS 40.17.030(a)(3); AS 40.17.030(d); 11 AAC 06.040(a)(3)(A)(B)